Wedding

 

1. Create a wedding website and send creative e-vites to your guests. Most people do not save paper invites – decrease waste and design your beautiful on line invitations! This also saves on mailing fees. Average price for traditional invitations range from $650 to $3000.

2. Skip open bar (most will run $7,500+ and in 20 years no one will remember what they drank at your wedding) If you wish to treat your guests offer ~ a wine and beer selection. Don’t forget non-alcoholic options such as lemonade, ice tea, sparkling fruit infused water.

3. Cut back on large and expensive table centerpieces and go with simple elegant decor. Try illuminaries and hand made artisan items that flow with the theme of your day. Many designer table arrangements run $300+ per table which adds up to over $7500+ for an average size wedding of 250 people. (and about $20,000 if its all floral) Give the centerpieces away at the end of the night.

4. Go local for floral bouquets with fresh cut / in season options available at your local farmers markets – such as daisies, hydrangea, solidago, rice flowers, eucalyptus or baby’s breath. An average bridal bouquet is $300 – $1000+ (and they will be dead by the end of the night). Average cost of a fresh market bouquet / hand tied – about $30 (gift it to your personal attendant at the end of the night!)

5. Be comfortable and buy with a pair of dancing shoes instead of designer stilettos (that no one will notice them under your gown) Designer heals run $500- $1000 and since most are uncomfortable brides end up ditching them a after a couple hours. Try a Uber comfy pair of: Anne Klein I-flex, Bella Vita, Sledge pump, Comfort plus, Franco Sarto, Sole society, Easy spirit or Naturalizer and dance the night away!

6. No need to buy separate “plate” favors for each individual guest. Try a tasty- s’mores, popcorn or candy table. Everyone can grab a quick fix throughout the evening or take it home and to enjoy the next day. Food= happy people!

7. Offer cupcakes instead of wedding cake OR if you have decided on cake try serving sheet cake instead of purchasing a designer tiered wedding cake. Many designer cakes run over $1000+ and since many guests prefer an adult beverage over sweet cake at the end of the night – much of the cake will go to waste. If you’re not into cake serve your fav dessert such as pie or have an ice cream bar! It’s YOUR BIG DAY!

8. Create your own “Support Team” by selecting an on site wedding planner from your reception salon in combination with your maid of honor and personal attendant. As a Team you can divide up the work & planning without having to hire a separate wedding coordinator which would save you about $3000!

9. If your Ceremony and Reception are at the same place, skip renting a limo or bus. ( Many orlando limo companies change $1000+ for the afternoon and if you will not be able to enjoy the ride why spend the money) If you locations are less than 20 min apart ask your Groomsmen to drive your bridesmaids to your reception hall. *The best time to rent a limo or bus is if you are planning on bar hopping to avoid anyone drinking & driving!

10. Consider heavy horderves instead of a heavy meal. Since most people attend weddings to socialize – spreading the appetizers out will allow guests to mingle and catch a bite when they feel like it. Horderves can be a mix of your fav goodies and served throughout the night! Average horderves are $8+ per person x 250 guests = $2000 + a wait staff, bartenders & tipping versus average plate fee of $30-50 in the mid-west which is about $7500 and up.

BONUS TIP ~ I’m all about YOU finding your dream gown. If you dont mind last seasons styles (which sometime is only a month or 2) simply  ask the manager at the dress shop to show your their “Sample dresses.” Every store has an area they keep all of their gowns that are no longer orderable due to a strap, color or bead change. Their is nothing wrong with these gowns expect they have been tried on. If you find one that you love they are usually between $100 – $400…even with a dry clean fee you are still saving $.
Happy shopping ladies!!!

* All of my tips add up to saving about $35,000 – pick and choose what’s best for YOU!

As professional full time wedding photographers we strive for excellence no matter how big or small the wedding. From Appleton to Greenbay, Milwaukee to Madison and Sheboygan to Sturgeon Bay, we travel everywhere. We love what we do and pour our hearts and souls into the craft of fine art wedding photography. AS leaders in the wedding business we don’t choose to copy what others wedding photographers have done in past, rather we pride ourselves in originality and giving our clients something out of the box! Many wedding photographers copy what is trending on Pinterest not considering that they are “cookie cutter” poses. (soon to be over used and outdated)

We have a timeless approach to wedding photography and provoke deeper feelings allowing you to reveal your true personality.  We shoot a wide range of lighting styles and use lighting to convey an exact mood. We guide our brides to how our camera sees them, so together we explore movement that will express our brides panache. When our brides see their wedding images, they are touched with emotion because they see themselves in a compelling way, perhaps a way they have never seen themselves before. This is fine art wedding photography in action.

Artist’s think alike!  Sue aka: super mom / renowned local artist actually found us many years ago when our wedding photography business was under Heidi Lee Photography and kept in touch via FB through the switch to “De La Tea Studio”.  Deb shared our new “De La Teja Studio” web site with her amazing daughter and bride to be ~ Andrea.  They stopped in to our Appleton boutique for a relaxed meet & greet and from that moment we had an instant artist connection!  Andrea & Lance’s summer wedding at the Waters in Oshkosh was picturesque! Andrea selected a gorgeous gown with classic mermaid fit and flared ruffles. Lance was an easy going groom down for all of the pictures. Both of their families were very gracious and modeled for our cameras all night from candids on the patio to cutting loose on the dance floor at the Waters. An epic storm front moved in directly after the Family photos and Ceremony were completed – perfect timing! As an artist my fav canvas for taking wedding pictures is cloudy days! We hit the nail on the head for Andreas and Lance’s wedding with epic black clouds rolling in off lake Winnebago. I kept the couple outside as long as I could before the rain hit and everything worked out perfectly. The pictures are stunning and the couple was amazing to work with. Congrats Andrea & Lance and thank you for choosing us. I was honored to be part of your wedding day! Enjoy and Salud!   ~ Heidi Lee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stacy & Derick reside in Colorado but decided to tie the knot in Magnificent Mexico. Stacy is originally from Wisconsin and came across De La Teja Studio many years ago…and we were honored they remembered us after all these years. Stacy looked striking in her designer beach gown complete with pink gold jewelry to match the sunsets of the Mayan Riviera. Many of our destination weddings consist of just the bride & groom since most couples are not into the show of a full traditional wedding. This couple were very much in love and wanted to keep things private and simple. Stacy said her favorite part was wandering the desolate beach at sunset while we watched a thunder storm roll by ~ she felt like a movie star! Derick was the perfect groom and answered to Stacy’s every wish!  After the extraordinary beach photo session we wandered into town to capture the soft glow of candles and street lights that make Playa Del Carmen so special! Stacy & Derick were blown away with these spectacular images both on and off the beach. We wrapped up the evening with the newlyweds to a famous seafood restaurant on the ocean complete with mango margaritas and a few tequilas! The next day we road tripped down the Yucatan Peninsula to a nearby cenote/quarry. The picturesque caverns were calling their names after a hot day of walking thru the jungle, they couldn’t wait to dive in the turquoise mayan pools!  Great job and kudos to you both for your willingness to venture off the resort for these breathtaking and once in a lifetime images! Salud to Stacy & Derick!

 

 

From the first moment Emily stepped into our boutique I felt and instant connection with her. Emily expressed her love of art & photography and stressed the importance of quality wedding pictures. We worked together all year building up to the “Big Day”. Emily looked amazing in her gown and the day went off without a hitch! Emily selected a January wedding for her love of winter …and Souk’s love of ice fishing (LOL) The Bridesmaids came prepared for fun outdoor photos with their winter boots and adorable faux fur coats, nothing was stopping this group! After a short & sweet ceremony we headed over to “Title Town Brewery” for a creative photo shoot with the attendants. The river & railroad tracks were the perfect backdrop to this breathtaking winter day and they even let us get on the train ~ bonus! The decor Emily & her mother Deb selected for the reception was something out of a storybook, a unforgettable glow of warm candles and crystal lined the ballroom. Emily & Souk are definitely soul mates and it shows in their photographs! Congratulations and thank you for choosing us on your special day ~ we were honored to be there for you and your family!